Our Story: a history of community

Garden Oaks Fine Accommodation has roots that go far beyond our first property, a 1914 Edwardian Manse purchased in 1989. Our story is one of patience and "slow build", focused more on relationships than dollar signs. We find that the former guarantees the latter.

We are proud of the sense of community we have retained with current and former tenants--many of whom keep in touch and refer friends looking for rental and lease apartments.

Partner & owner John J. O'Brien, CRM, MALT, comes from a family of residential property owners with experience passed down from grandparents and parents. Their US-based commercial and residential property holdings provided a great opportunity for an inquisitive youngster to learn. John notes that he learned as much or more from mistakes as from successes. The result is a solid foundation for customer service and property management.

John's experience includes also project management related to built-to-suit and renovated residential and commercial properties. He oversaw and contributed design to a specialized office and warehouse operation in Richmond, B.C., and two similar operations in Victoria, B.C., for the then Ministry of Social Services & Housing. Currently, he is advising on a project located in Limassol, Cyprus.

Partner & owner Robert Tornack, MBA, joined the business in 1996 when the landmark property was a boutique inn / bed & that gave Garden Oaks Fine Accommodation its name.

Initially, his focus was on expanding and managing holdings. In 2002, with the acquisition of additional properties, he stepped into the General Manager role. He has established the infrastructure to ensure quality service along with an expanded portfolio of suites.

"We are grateful to Lee, Debra and Wendy for helping us build capacity on the administrative side. Colin has been leading the groundskeeping crew and we look forward to his assistance in restoring two heritage gardens in 2011. We make a great team!"

Since 2006, "GOFA" has also served as a test bed for our joint work in intellectual capital, knowledge and records management. Rob is now consolidating our "best practices" into a guideline for publication and has returned to the General Manager role after four years abroad. It has been gratifying to receive requests from three other property owners to manage their holdings. This is a potential area of development and will be untertaken at a pace that ensures the high standard of management of all properties.

John has returned to interior and exterior design work. An improved suite entrance has been completed. Renocation of a large deck area finishes in Spring with new railings, balustrades and underpinnings. Garden designs for three properties are complete with implementation of a fourth "rain garden" well in hand.

Design and coordination efforts on the construction of a villa in Cyprus occupy him in 2010. Engaged after construction on the ground level was nearly complete, John's work involves design concepts and assistance to the Russo-Canadian owners in putting their personal stamp on the home during construction and fitting up. Contributions so far have darmatically revised the kitchen area, extension of the family living room to capture a spectacular view and provide storage for collector LP albums, suggestion of a rooftop bar for entertaining and a graduated drop from the inifity pool to a childrens pool with boulders place to provide a river like waterfall to lounge in.